Softball: Olivet sweeps Finlandia, 8-0 and 3-2

OLIVET, Mich. – Backed by complete game pitching performances from sophomore Ashlynn Grubb and freshman Delaney Maki, the Olivet College softball team swept a non-conference doubleheader from Finlandia University today at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. The Comets scored two runs in each of the first four innings to win the opener, 8-0, and then scored three runs in the fifth inning to win game two, 3-2.

In the first game, Olivet wasted no time in taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Senior Ashley Milheim reached on an infield bunt single. After an out, Grubb hit the first pitch to her over the fence in center field for a two-run home run.

Sophomore Devon Mayse led off the second with a double over the right fielder's head. Off a bunt by freshman Haley Reed, the third baseman threw the ball away and Mayse crossed the plate. Reed got to third base on the error and scored on Milheim's sacrifice fly.

In the third inning, Grubb hit a single and went to third on a double off freshman Kris Forest's bat. Freshman Madison Spry brought both runners home with a single in the right-center field gap.

The Comets capped their scoring in the fourth inning. Sophomore Kelsey Scheenks had a single and came around to score on Forest's two-run home run.

Olivet recorded 10 hits in the contest. Spry went 3-for-3 with two RBI. Forest and Grubb both had two hits, two runs scored and two RBI. In the circle, Grubb faced only three batters more than the minimum, two on base hits and one on a walk. She struck out 10 batters.

In the second game, the Lions took a 1-0 lead on a solo home run in the fourth inning. After failing to get a runner in scoring position in the first four innings, the bottom of the Comets' lineup helped them score three times in the fifth inning.

Sophomore Jessica Palumbo hit a single up the middle. Sophomore Christine Wood came into run for her. Wood stole second base and scored the tying run on Olivia Peraino's base hit. She took second base on the throw to the plate. Freshman Konnor Geiger entered the game as a pinch hitter. She lined a single into center field, where the ball went through the legs of the fielder and rolled to the fence.

Peraino scored easily on the play and when the center fielder threw the ball into the infield to attempt to get an out at third base, the throw was bad enough to allow Geiger to score. Finlandia scored once in the sixth and left the tying runs stranded in scoring position and then were retired in order in the seventh.

The Comets finished the game with only five hits, including two for Peraino. In the circle, Maki allowed the two runs on six hits, while striking out 10 and walking nobody.

Olivet resumes Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play this week with a pair of home doubleheaders. On Tuesday, the Comets host defending MIAA champion Trine (Ind.) University at 3:30 p.m., and on Saturday, they play Kalamazoo College at 1 p.m.